Celebrity Influence

Celebrity Influence

Politics, Persuasion, and Issue-Based Advocacy

Mark Harvey

Why should we listen to celebrities like Bono or Angelina Jolie when they endorse a politician or take a position on an issue? Do we listen to them? Despite their lack of public policy experience, celebrities are certainly everywhere in the media, appealing on behalf of the oppressed, advocating policy change—even, in one spectacular case, leading the birther movement all the way to the White House. In this book Mark Harvey takes a close look into the phenomenon of celebrity advocacy in an attempt to determine the nature of celebrity influence, and the source and extent of its power.

Focusing on two specific kinds of power—the ability to “spotlight” issues in the media and to persuade audiences—Harvey searches out the sources of celebrity influence and compares them directly to the sources of politicians’ influence. In a number of case studies—such as Jolie and Ben Affleck drawing media attention to the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo; Bob Marley uniting warring factions in Jamaica; John Lennon networking with the new left to oppose Richard Nixon’s re-election; Elvis Presley working with Nixon to counter anti-war activism—he details the role of celebrities working with advocacy groups and lobbying politicians to affect public opinion and influence policy. A series of psychological experiments demonstrate that celebrities can persuade people to accept their policy positions, even on national security issues.

“This fascinating book opens the door to new, essential understandings of US politics. The work features meticulous quantitative analysis, and the second chapter, which explains the rise of celebrity influence, is must reading for anyone interested in contemporary politics. Essential.”

—Choice

“Celebrity politicians and politicized celebrities have had a vital impact upon politics within the first two decades of the 21st century. Mark Harvey’s important new book provides a theoretically informed and empirically grounded account of this phenomenon. His qualitative and quantitative analysis concerning the political effects of celebrity engagement is especially welcome due to it terrific level of detail. Moreover, Harvey’s insightful account is particularly prescient in the light of the ultimate celebrity politician Donald Trump’s ascendency to the office of the Presidency of the United States.”

—Mark Wheeler, Professor of Political Communications London Metropolitan University

“In Celebrity Influence Mark Harvey makes a persuasive case for the power of celebrities to shape the national conversation. Harvey offers a detailed and historically rich context through which to understand how entertainers and athletes channel their fame and credibility with audiences into political action. In an era when show business and politics have become increasingly intertwined, Harvey presents a timely analysis of an underappreciated topic.”

—Alan Schroeder, author of Presidential Debates: Risky Business on the Campaign Trail

“If there is one thing that the election of Donald Trump has taught us, it is that the phenomenon of celebrity politics is very real and very important. In his book Celebrity Influence, Mark Harvey explores this phenomenon more thoroughly and more seriously than perhaps any social scientist ever has. If you are interested in why and how celebrities affect our politics, you should read this book.”

—Anthony J. Nownes, Professor of Political Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Harvey’s analysis of news sources reveals that when celebrities speak about issues of public importance, they get disproportionately more coverage than politicians. Further, his reading of surveys tells us that people find politicians no more or less credible than celebrities—except politicians from the opposing party, who are judged less credible. At a time when the distinctions between politicians and celebrities are increasingly blurred, the insights into celebrity influence presented in this volume are as relevant as they are compelling.

About the Author

Mark Harvey is the Director of Graduate and Undergraduate Programs, University of Saint Mary - Overland Park Campus.